Our Mission
The Diversity Center inspires and advocates for the LGBTQ+ people of Santa Cruz and Monterey counties by providing critical services, spaces, education, and events that enhance our community's well-being allowing individuals to build resiliency and thrive.
Our vision
We envision a healthy, vibrant, and diverse intergenerational LGBTQ+ community, safe and secure in their persons, schools, work, and homes; fueled by a spirit of collaboration with each other and the greater community.
Our Values
Equity: Addressing privilege and power in a fair and balanced way.
Courage: Honoring and encouraging the diversity and strengths of all members of the community.
Community Connection: Creating positive change through social support and community engagement.
Innovation: Providing an environment that encourages new thinking and ideas and is accepting of risk as we do our transformative and person-centered work.
Impact informed: Using data and observations to understand past performance and inform new directions keeping our impact to the community at the center of all we do.
Well-being: Supporting community members to live happy, healthy, socially connected, and purposeful lives through access to resources and opportunities.
Community Agreements
Cultivate Wellness: We cultivate personal wellness and joy among our LGBTQ+ community. We welcome healing, repair and growth within ourselves and others.
Foster Inclusivity: We strive to create a welcoming environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and supported. We support each other and collaborate to create positive change within the center and beyond.
Co-Creating a safe space: We co-create an environment where individuals can comfortably express their sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression without fear of judgment or discrimination.
Respect pronouns: We use people's pronouns and ask for them when necessary, ensuring consistent usage. We will not tolerate the disrespectful use of pronouns, such as using nonsensical pronouns or making derogatory jokes.
Avoid assumptions: We will not assume someone's sexual orientation or gender identity based on appearance or other factors. We use gender inclusive language and keep an open heart.
Individual responsibility: Each person is responsible for their own actions and reactions. We show kindness to ourselves and others.
Speak from personal experience: We speak from our own experiences and respect the experiences of others.
Protect confidentiality: We respect individuals' privacy. Stories stay, learning leaves. We will keep information shared within the community center confidential.
Empowerment: We do not tolerate discrimination or prejudice against LGBTQ+ individuals. We will speak up against homophobia, transphobia, biphobia, misgendering, or invalidation of one’s identity.
Listening and Repair: We listen to each other with an open mind, refraining from criticism or judgment. If harm is caused to others, we are open to feedback, we take responsibility, and we work towards repair.
Support and advocacy: We support and advocate for the rights and well-being of LGBTQ+ individuals, including transgender empowerment.
Embracing Diversity: We acknowledge and challenge how racism affects people of color within the LGBTQ+ community. We actively work to create a space free from racism and white supremacy values. We believe in equal access to resources regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, race, age, ethnicity, religion, disability, or any other aspect of identity.